Safety net



SPt 8, 1970 E. 1 PEDLEY 3,527,319

SAFETY NET Filed Aug. 15, 1969 4 sheets-sheet 1 JNVENTOR. ERIC L. PEDLEY ATTORNEYS E. L. PEDLEY Sqn. s, 1970 SAFETY NET 4 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Filed Aug. 15. 1969 f N OPN n SEI S1282 INVENTOR. ER|c ,L.PEDLEv WMA/MPMATTORNEYS SSPL 3, 1970 E. l.. PEDLEY 3,527,319

SAFETY NET Filed Aug. l5. 1969 l 4 Sheets-sheet 4 im' Pipa-'r 3,527,319SAFETY NET Eric L. Pedley, Kentfeld, Calif., assignor to Pedley- Knowles& Co., San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of CaliforniaContinuation-impart of application Ser. No. 757,825, Sept. 6, 1968. Thisapplication Aug. 15, 1969, Ser.

Int. Cl. A62b 1/22 U.S. Cl. 182--139 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A rectangular safety net of diamond mesh that includes anedge rope, which edge rope is connected with the net along its edges.Means, including said edge rope is provided for suspending said net fromthe structural framework of a building across an area above which workis being done, and the construction of which net is such that its lengthor width may be increased or decreased to accommodate the net tovariations on length or width of said area.

This is a continuation-inpart of application Ser. No. 757,825, filedSept. 6, 1968.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the erection of buildings, it is usual forbuilding codes to specify safety requirements, one of which is theprovision of means to protect the workmen from falling through openareas. A commonly adopted means is the construction of a wooden deck, orfloor, below such area. The installation of such a deck is costly andtime consuming, and while the decks so constructed may limit the falldistance, they do not necessarily prevent fatal injuries.

The use of safety nets has been proposed, but heretofore such nets haveeach been tailored for the specific area across which it is to extend.As the nets are quite costly, it has not been economically feasible tomake. a separate net for each area of different size. Also, where theuse of nets has `been attempted, the nets have been of the square meshtype having an edge rope secured thereto that limits the two dimensionsof the net. The procedure for hanging such nets has been to first securea wire rope to the building structure around the area across which thenet is to extend. This, in itself, is a time-consuming step. The nextstep is to hook the edge rope on the net to the wire rope.

One ofthe objects of this invention is the provision of a net of thediamond mesh type in which the outline of the net is defined by one ofthe return bends of the rope defining the outer row of mesh openings,and which net includes an edge rope along said return bends connectedtherewith for longitudinal movement thereof to said return bends and tothe net.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a single net thatwill automatically and etiiciently adapt itself to fit different areas`within relatively wide limits as to breadth and width, and otherobjects are the improved means of performing the net hanging operationfor suspending a net across areas of different dimensions, and animproved method of suspending a net. Other objects and advantages willappear in the description and drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS For the drawings, FIG. 1 is a plan view of arepresentative net, in 'which the mesh ropes are indicated in singlelines, and the edge rope and means for connecting the latter to the meshropes are indicated in double lines.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of struc- "United StatesPatent O "ice 3,527,319 Patented Sept. 8, 1970 ture at one corner of thenet of FIG. l, including the edge rope.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of one of the two cornersof the net of FIG. 1 that are adjacent the corner shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of the other corner of thenet of FIG. l, that is generally adjacent to the corner shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan View of the structure of the corner of thenet of FIG. l that is diagonally opposite to the corner shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a modification of the structure shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an installed net, the posts and beams of thebuilding structure being simplified, and the mesh ropes, being merelyindicated along the edge ropes. The view is broken in length and width.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along line 8 8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a semi-diagrammatic view illustrating a method of installingthe net of FIG. 1, the mesh ropes being omitted, and the edge rope andother ropes being in single lines except at the corners of the net andthe hooks at the ends of the hoisting lines.

FIG. l() is an enlarged elevational vie'w of a portion of FIG. 7 as seenfrom line 10-10 of FIG. 7.

FIG. ll is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of a modified structure ofa corner similar to that of FIG. 2.

FIG. l2 is an end view of one of the double thimbles used in the net.

FIG. 13 is a part sectional, part elevational view of the thimble ofFIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a net represented in the same manner asthe net of FIG. 1 and showing additional rings connected with the meshrope and extending across the net for use with the same edge rope inareas of greater variation than will be accommodated by the net of FIG.l.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one corner of the net of FIG.14 at one end thereof showing a tie rope connected with the net forlifting the net at said corner by a hand line such as indicated in FIG.9.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the other corner of the netof FIG. 14 at the same end of the net showing a tie rope similar to thatof FIG. 15, also connected with a lifting line.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary top plan view of one of the connections betweena pair of panels of the net of FIG. 14.

FIG. 18, is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view, partly in crosssection, of one of a transverse row of the rings shown in FIG. 14intermediate the ends of the net, showing the portion of the net at oneof the sides of said row of rings thereon back onto the remainder of thenet, when the net is supported by the edge rope extending through saidrings to extend across a substantially smaller area than the area withinthe outline of the net as shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 19 is a semi-diagrammatic enlarged, fragmentary plan View of thelower left-hand corner of the net as seen in FIG. 1 showing thetightener clamped to the edge rope and with the edge rope` connectedwith a clamp secured to a portion of the building frame.

FIG. 2() is an enlarged top plan View of a clamp adapted to be securedto a column at any level, instead of a beam, said column being shown incross section.

FIG. 2l is a side-elevational view of the clamp of FIG. 19.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The four corners of the rectangularnet shown in FIG. l are respectively generally designated A, B, C,

3 and D. The corners A, D are at two diagonally opposite corners.

'Ihe net is of the diamond-mesh type in which the mesh ropes extendobliquely from the edges, and which ropes are tightly secured togetherat their crossing points.

In the net, when formed, the mesh ropes 1 cross each other atsubstantially right angles, and the'edges of the mesh portion of the netare dened by ninety-degree return bends 2 of the outer rows of meshalong the outer mesh openings. The mesh openings are designated 3.

A net of the foregoing character may be expanded in the planes thereof,in either one of its two dimensions approximately 20 percent, withoutundesirable distortion of the mesh, there being a proportionate decreasein the other of said two dimensions than the one in which expansion iseffected.

A ring 4 is xedly secured to each return bend 2, providing a row of suchrings along and projecting outwardly of the net along each of the edgesof the latter. The rings and rope at each return bend may extend througha double thimble, such as indicated at 5 in FIG. 13, lashed in a fixedposition relative to the return bend, by ber glass strands and an epoxyplastic substantially as described in U.S. Letters Patent No. 3,091, 016of May 28, 196-3, and the same type of lashing that secures the meshropes together at their crossing points 6.

A rope 7, preferably of wire, loosely extends through rings 4 along eachedge of the net, and which rope may be continuous around the net fromapproximately corner D, and is formed with a xed loop 8 at corner A,said latter corner being diagonally opposite to corner D (FIGS. l, 2).

A length of said rope 7 extends from corner A through rings 4 to cornersB and C, and loosely through a ring 9 at each of said latter corners,which ring 9 is between a pair of adjacent rings 4 at each of saidcorners. The edge rope 7 is slidable through said rings 9 and said ringswill always remain between the same adjacent pair of rings 4,irrespective of whether or not the net is expanded in either of the twodimensions.

The lengths of the wire rope 7 that extend loosely through rings 9 atcorners B, C, extend to, or substantially to corner D, and a chain 10 atcorner D may be spliced at its ends to the terminal ends of the wirerope 7. This chain is preferably a single chain of sufcient length so asto provide for any desired change in the dimensions of the net and tofacilitate tightening the edge rope, as' will be explained later on. Thechain 10 normally extends between a pair of adjacent rings 4 at cornerD, although it may also extend through either or both of such rings,

or more.

In FIG. 7, structural steel vertical posts 13 are indicated at thecorners of a rectangular area outlined by horizontally-disposed pairs ofI beams 14, that, in turn, generally dene the sides of a rectangularopen area across which the net is to be positioned. Beams 14 are alongthe sides of greatest length and beams 15 are along the shorter sides ofsaid area, where the open oor area is oblong.

A beam clamp 16 is adapted to be secured to beams 15 adjacent eachcorner post 13, or at any point along the beams. Each clamp comprises apair of opposed jaws 17 (FIG. 8) recessed on their opposed sides at 18to recess coplanar flanges 19 of one of the two pairs of said beam. Saidjaws each have an ear 20 projecting therefrom in spaced opposed relationwhen said anges are in recesses 18 and a bolt 21 extends through coaxialopenings in the pair of ears tightening the jaws 17 on the beams when anut 22 on one end of each bolt is tightened.

Extensions 23, rigid with each jaw 17, project therefrom for securementof a conventional shackle 24 or a hook to each extension, with theextensions each having an opening 25 therein for such shackle or hook.

By the above structure, clamps 16 are adapted to be releasably securedto beams of dilerent sizes and to be adjustably clamped thereto at anydesired position along the beams. Said clamps may be clamped to eitheror both of the beams 14, 15.

The extensions 23 project laterally outwardly to opposite sides of eachI beam making openings 25 therein readily accessible for securement ofshackles or hooks thereto.

In FIGS. 7, 10, a clamp 26 is shown, which clamp has the same beamclamping structure as clamps 16, for securing each clamp to an I beam,but extensions 27 are provided to project laterally to one of the sidesof the clamp, instead of projecting from the ends. The extensions 27will be spaced from the beam to which it is attached so that the opening28 in each extension will be readily accessible for a shackle or hook,but the extensions will be disposed within the connes of the verticallyprojected outline of the beam.

Beam clamps 16, or 26, as seen in FIG. 7 are respectively secured tobeams 14, 15 adjacent to the ends of the latter, and adjacent to postsor columns 13.

For convenience of description, the posts 13 will be designated A', B',C', and D' and which posts are respectively adjacent to the corners ofthe net having the same letter designations.

Referring to FIG. 9, in installing the net, a pick-up line 29 may beconnected by a hook 30, with corner A of the net, and which pick-up line29 extends upwardly to a point adjacent post A' and at or above thelevel where the net is to be installed. The corner A or the net is thenhoisted by pick-up line 29 by any suitable means connected with suchline, such as a crane or by hand, and a shackle 24 then secures the loop8 to an extension 23 of the clamp 16.

Pick-up lines 32 are respectively connected to the net, or rings 9, byhooks 33 and said corners B, C may then be successively orsimultaneously hoisted in the same manner as corner A, and shackles 24secure said rings 9 to clamps 16 that are adjacent to posts B', C'.

A hoist line 34 is connected by a hook with chain 10, and the corner Dof the net is hoisted to the level of the other corners and to a pointadjacent to post D', after which the portion of edge rope 7 that is toextend along the beam 14 that connects with post D' is connected with aconventional comealong 36.

Comealong 36 may be connected at one end with the clamp 16 that isadjacent post D', either with bolt 21 or the comealong may be connectedwith an extension 27 of a clamp 26 that, in turn, is connected with beam14. The tightening chain 37 of the comealong may then be connected by ahook with a link of chain 10 that is adjacent the splice 38 between thechain and the portion of edge rope 7 that is to extend along beam 14.

The comealong may then be actuated to tighten the length of edge rope 7that extends to corner D by way of ring 9 at the corner B, and when sotightened, a link of the tightened portion of the chain is secured tothe clamp 16 by a shackle 39 (FIG. 7) or conventional grab hook.

The chain 37 of the comealong is then released and said chain is thenhooked to the splice loop 38 and the end of the edge rope 7 extending tochain 10 by way of the ring 9 at corner C, which is the position shownin FIG. 7. Again the comealong 36 is actuated, and the rope 7 connectedtherewith is tightened. After tightening, a link of chain 10 isconnected by shackle 40 or a grab hook to the clamp 16 that is adjacentto post D'. Any desired number of chokers 41 may draw the edge rope 7closer to beams 14, 15, if desired, but in any event, the net willextend across the area Within the outline of the beams within the rangeof the flexibility of the net.

It should be noted that the function of the chokers, where used, is todraw the edge of the net closer to the beams should there be a greaterspace between the edge rope and the beams than is desired. The netitself is normally suspended from its corners, and if further Suspensionshould be desired, as in the case of a net of unusual length, it isobvious that extra clamps 16 may be clamped along any of the beams andconnected by a shackle or hook with the edge rope 7 between any pair ofrings 4 or return bends 2.

Whether the clamps are below the beams or above the latter depends uponthe conditions. Where clamps 26 are used instead of clamps 16, theextensions 27 will be closer to the beams, and the edge rope may bewithin the confines of the vertically projected outlines of therespective beams.

The edge rope 7 in FIGS. 1 7 is continuous, the loop 8 being formed inthe rope.

In FIG. 6 two edge ropes 43, 44 are shown, rope 43 having a loop 45 atone end and a loop 46 is at the end of rope 44. rll`hese loops areconnected by a shackle 47 with a clamp 16, or 26 adjacent post A',instead of loop 8. The rest of the structure may be the same.

While chain 10 provides a plurality of links, any one of which isadapted to be quickly engaged by a conventional grab hook on the chain36 of the comealong or by shackles 39 or 40 for connecting to clamp 16or 26, it is to be understood that the edge rope 7 may be drawn taut atcorner D and the end of the rope itself doubled on itself at corner D toform a loop corresponding to loop 8, through which loop a hook orshackle on clamp 16 or 26 may extend to hold the wire rope taut.

Also, it is to be understood that the shackle connections between theedge rope or ropes, and the clamps 16 are examples of safe connections,although hooks such as are indicated at 33, 34 on the hoist lines, or onthe chokers 41 may be used.

While the rings 4 are preferable for loosely connecting the mesh ropesof the outer row of mesh openings with the edge rope 7, thereby reducingwear on the ropes, it is obvious that the edge rope could extend throughthe outer mesh openings and engage the mesh rope thereof at the returnbends of the latter. Also, the edge rope may be of ber, but the wirerope is preferable.

Also, the edge rope, designated 49 in FIG. 1l, could be continuous fromone end at corner D to the other end at corner D, and slidably extendthrough a ring 50 (FIG. l1) at corner A, in which case the comealong atcorner D would be connected with only one end of the rope for tensioningthe net. However, ring 50 would be between the same adjacent pair ofrings 4, as in the other figures.

As an example of the adaptability of the net for different areas,assuming the net in its normal shape is 21' x 38', the net willobviously be adapted to be suspended across approximately the same openarea. In addition, by the present construction, an automaticapproximately 20 percent increase or decrease from normal is adapted tobe accomplished. The length of the edge rope will vary for differentareas. Where the net is normal, the edge rope is approximately 118' inlength and where adjusted to 16 x 46', the length is approximately 124',and when 26' x 3l', the length is 114'.

Preferably an additional approximately 10 percent of the maximum lengthof 124' is provided for convenience of hanging the chain being included.By gathering the slack at one end the net may be used for even smallerareas. The diagonal or diamond mesh structure as combined with the edgerope, as described, enables this relatively wide variation.

The net rope 1, being continuous at the return bends 2, and each of therings 4 being closed, special double thimbles 5 (FIGS. l2, 13) are usedto connect the rings to the return bends.

Each of these thimbles comprises a Shell of metal or other suitablematerial which, when closed, provides a through passageway 52 adapted toreceive a ring 4 and a return bend 2 of the rope 1 in side-by-sidecoplanar relation.

The walls of the passageway 52 in the plane in which each ring 4 andreturn bend 2 are disposed, are curved to substantially conform to thelinear and cross-sectional contours of the ring and return bend, and thewalls are outwardly at the open ends of the passageway.

One side of each double thimble is separated at 53 (FIG. 12) althoughnot necessarily spaced apart, after the ring and return bend are in thepassageway. The thimble is normally spread to open position as indicatedin dot-dash lines 54 (FIG. l2) so that the ring and return bend may beinserted into the thimble through the opened side, after which thethimble is bent to Closed position, as in full line in FIG. 12, andthereafter the berglass strands freshly coated with epoxy resin andhardener lash each thimble in closed position and firmly lash the ropeand ring to the thimble. When the resin hardens, each ring 4, returnbend 2 and thimble provide an inseparable union.

The method that is involved in suspending the edge rope of the structuredefined comprises the steps of suspending said net at each of its returnbends 2 on an edge rope extending along each edge of said net forsliding of said return bends relative to each other `and to said edgerope longitudinally of the latter, and connecting the edge rope at eachcorner A, B, C, D at its corresponding structural members A', B', C', Dfrom a point along said edge rope that is between and adjacent to apredetermined adjacent pair of said return `bends at each corner of saidnet for sliding movement of said edge rope longitudinally thereof atsaid point relative to the structural members of at least one diagonallyopposite pair of structural members such as B' and C', and thereafterdrawing the edge rope taut along each edge of said net from a pointadjacent to one of the other pair of diagonally opposite structuralmembers, such as D', after which the tauted edge rope is secured tautalong the edges of the net.

Whether the structure of FIG. l, 2, 6 or l1 is employed, or whether theedge rope extends through rings r4 or through the return bends 2, thesame method is employed and the dimensions of the net at a right angleto each other and parallel with its edges, will substantially conform toone of a plurality of different rectangular dimensions of the areaenclosed by the taut edge rope although the sides need not be parallel.

Insofar as the net itself, independently of the method of suspending itis concerned, basically it is of diamond mesh structure having outeredges defined by the return bends of the mesh openings along said edgesand broadly, it includes an edge rope along each edge of the netslidably connected with said net at each of said return bends formovement of the return bends relative to each other along the edge ropewith which the return bends are slidably connected. The return bends ofan adjacent pair thereof are spaced apart and positioned, respectively,along adjacent lengths of the edge rope of said net at each corner ofthe latter, and the edge rope along the adjacent edges of the net thatextend from the respective corners of one pair of diagonally oppositecorners, as at B and C, are continuous to one of the corners of theother diagonally opposite corners, such as A and D, for movement of theedge rope longitudinally thereof relative to said adjacent pair ofdiagonally opposite corners B and C.

The foregoing structure broadly describes all forms of the netdisclosed, whether the edge rope is continuous from end-to-end as inFIGS. l, ll, or is a pair of edge ropes as in FIG. 6. In any case,tauting the rope or ropes from the corner D will effect an automaticdimensioning of the rope for extending across one of dilerentrectangular areas.

In describing the net shown in FIGS. 14-18, the same numerals will beused as in the net of FIGS. 1-13 to identify elements having the samestructure and function.

The net of FIGS. 14-18 has the same diamond or diagonal mesh arrangementof FIG. 1 in which the outer edges are defined by return bends of themesh rope, and rings 4 are secured to said return bends by doublethimbles 5 lashed in position.

Wire rope 7 constitutes the edge rope and loosely extends through therings 4. Said edge rope is preferably in two lengths and loops or eyes46, 47, as shown in FIG. 6 are at one of the corners A, the four cornersbeing designated A, B, C, and D. The lengths of the edge rope 7respectively extend continuously to and past corners B and C to cornerD, the latter being diagonally opposite to corner A.

In the present invention, a tie rope 60, which may be in the form of anendless loop, extends through and connects the pair of rings 4 adjacenteach corner A and B. The net is lifted by pick-up lines corresponding topick-up lines 29, 32, the hooks 30, 33 engaging the tie ropes or loops60 at each of the aforesaid to corners of the net.

The use of ropes 60 connecting the rings 4 adjacent each of said cornersprevents the net at said corners from slipping down the edge rope duringthe initial hoisting of the net from either of corners A, B before thenet is hoisted at corners C, D (FIGS. 14, 15, 16).

There is no need for such tie ropes at corners C and D inasmuch `as thelatter are normally elevated last, and the hooks on the pick-up linescan be connected with the mesh rope at said corners after the edge ropeat said corners is secured to clamps on the building structure.

The lengths of edge rope 7 at corner A are bent on themselves to formthe loops or eyes 45, 46 that are secured by conventional rope or cableclamps 61, said eyes being connected to a shackle 47 (FIG. 6) or 24(FIG. 7) that, in turn, is connected to a clamp 16.

The edge rope 7 at comers B and C may extend directly around the pin ofa conventional shackle 24 that is connected with a clamp 16 to one ofthe beams 14 at each of said corners (FIG. 14).

The free ends of the lengths of `edge rope 7 at corner D may also beformed to provide loops 62, 63 (FIG. 14). The beam clamp 64 at corner Dmay have an extension 65 provided With a pair of openings, instead ofonly one, for receiving a pair of shackles 24, each extending throughone of the openings of said pair, and each shackle connects one of theloops 62, 63 with the extension 65 of clamp 64.

The lengths of edge rope 7 extending to corner D may be tightened togive the net the desired degree of tautness by use of chains and Iacomealong, as described with respect to FIG. 7, or the comealong may beconnected with a rope or cable clamp 66 (FIG. 19) secured on edge rope7, and when the edge rope is drawn taut, the free end portion of theedge rope between clamp 66 and the corner D is looped about the pin ofone of the shackles 24, to form one of the loops 62, 63 and a cableclamp 67 secures the loop closed. This tightening is applied to each ofthe lengths of the edge rope.

The net of FIG. 14 is oblong, `and assuming its dimensions are 33 x 206"when the mesh rope denes square mesh openings, said net is adapted toadjust itself to any width from approximately 16' to 26' and any lengthfrom approximately 16 to 38 which will enable a net of one size toaccommodate itself to the majority of areas encountered in a buildingstructure where protection is required.

To accomplish a wide variation, the net of FIG. 14 is provided with aplurality of spaced, parallel rows of rings 68 extending transverselyacross the net, relative to its length, and which rows are at the end ofthe net adjacent the end of the net having corners C, D.

Preferably, the net of FIG. 14 is formed from separate panels. In FIG.14 there are seven panels 69-75 with panel 69 between the rings 4 at theend of the net extending between corners C, D, and three panels 70, 71,72, respectively, between the next successive adjacent pairs of rows ofrings 68.

Double thimbles 78 not only connect the rings 68 to the mesh rope of thepanels, but they connect the adjacent mesh of the panels along thealigned corners of the mesh at the adjoining edges of the panels ofadjacent pairs.

These double thimbles have the same structure as the double thimbles 5,being open ended split sheets (FIGS. 10, 13) lashed closed about themesh rope and rings 68 by fiberglass and epoxy resin.

The panels 73, 74 and 75 are secured together by double thimbles 79 ofthe same structure as thimbles 68, but no rings are held by thesethimbles.

For purpose of clarity, in FIG. 14 the proportions of the mesh openingsrelative to the dimensions of the net are much greater than in actualpractice. Each side of each mesh opening may be only approximately 6inches in an actual net.

The mesh rope in each panel is secured together at its points ofcrossing 80 by fiberglass and epoxy resin in the same manner asindicated at 6 in FIG. 2.

By forming the net in panels, the making of a net is expedited, as wellas the making of nets of different sizes for special requirements.

Assuming the net of the dimensions of FIG. 14 is to be used to extendacross an open area within the range of say 206" x 21, the length of theedge rope 7 extending between corners C, D is released from rings 4along the end edge of the net, and from the rings 4 along the side edgeof the net extending from corner C to the row 81 of rings that connectspanel 72 with panel 73. The other length of edge rope 7 extending alongthe side of the net from corner D to row 81 is also released from rings4. Clamps 67 would be removed to facilitate this release. The length ofthe edge rope 7 that has been released from corner C to row 81 is thenrethreaded through the rings 68 of row 81, and then the said two lengthsof the edge rope are tightened in the same manner as described for thefull area net, and the surplus panels 69-72 are folded back onto thetensioned panels 73-75 and the free lengths of edge rope 7 may be alsopositioned on panels 7.3-75 or clamped to the edge rope along saidpanels to keep them out of the way.

It is pertinent to note that the rings 68 connect the return bends ofthe adjacent pairs of panels 70, 71, 72, 73 at their return bends, henceend rings of each row bear exactly the same relation to the adjacentring 4 through which the edge rope 7 extends for supporting theshortened net, as the relation between the adjacent rings 4 at corners Cand D.

The foregoing described procedure may be followed with respect to any ofthe other rows than row 81, according to the dimensions of the areaacross which the net is to be positioned.

Normally the dimensions of the area is dictated by the lengths of thebeams between the columns at the corners of the area. Whether the beamclamps are secured to the beams 14 or beams 15 is optional, but they arenormally positioned adjacent to the columns.

There are instances Where it is desirable to position a net where thevertical distance between the beams, or the distance between the workinglevel and the beams available for a net is greater than normal. Or itmay be found desirable to connect the corners of the net closer to thecolumns at the corners of the area across which the net is to extend. Insuch instances the clamps shown in FIGS. 20, 21 are provided.

Each of such clamps is generally designated 82, and is quite similar tothe clamps 16 in that each has a pair of flange gripping jaws 83, 84formed with recesses 85 for receiving a pair of the coplanar flanges 86of a column having an H cross-sectional contour (FIG. 20). Each jawincludes ears y87 corresponding to ears 20 of each clamp 16, and a bolt88 extends through aligned openings in the ears for tightening the jawson the anges 86.

The plates 89 of a pair thereof are welded to opposite edges of each ofthe jaws 83, 84 so that said plates are horizontal and in verticallyspaced relation when the clamp 82 is secured on a column. The pairs ofplates 89 respectively secured to jaws 83, 84 project outwardly of saidjaws away from the column when the clamp is secured to a column, and theplates of each pair are apertured for a vertical pin or bolt 90positioned relatively close to the column.

Edge rope 7 may extend around one of the bolts on each of the clamps atone side of each column at corners B, C as indicated in FIGS. 20, 21,and the pins at one side of each column at corners A, D are adapted toeach extend through the loops at the ends of the two lengths of the edgerope when the lengths have been tightened. The pins on the other jaw ofeach clamp are adapted to be used for hanging another net in an adjacentarea. It is seen that the net may be positioned at any desired levelindependently of the beams by use of clamps 82.

The adjustability of the net of FIG. 14 to be quickly installed in aposition to extend across each of the open areas of widely differentdimensions has encouraged the acquisition and use of the nets underconditions Where there may be a reluctance to tie up an investment innets having a lesser range of adjustability, irrespective of the fargreater protection a net provides as distinguished from boarding overopen areas. In each instance the time required for installing a net isfar less than the time required for boarding over a corresponding area.

At the lower-righthand corner of FIG. 14, different broken linepositions of the clamp 16 at corner C are indicated for differentthreadings of the edge rope 7 through the rows of rings 68, and theclamp 16 at corner D would, of course, be in similar positions along thebeam 14 that is at the left-hand side of the figure.

The different positions indicated are merely illustrative of differentpositions in which the net is of approximately the same tautness.Obviously the net may be more or less slack where used in certain areaswithout losing its effectiveness.

The present invention is not intended to be restricted to any of theprecise dimensions given. The net structure that includes the supportingedge rope as defined in the claims is broadly the same in FIGS. 1 and 14and functions in the same manner during and after installation.

I claim:

1. The method of suspending a rectangular safety net made of rope and ofdiamond mesh structure having outer edges defined by the return bends ofthe outer mesh openings of said net, in a position extending generallyhorizontally across an open, substantially rectangular area having astationary structural member adjacent each of its four corners,comprising the steps of:

(a) supporting said net at each of said return bends on an edge ropealong each edge of said net for movement of said return bends relativeto each other and to said edge rope longitudinally of the latter,

(b) connecting the edge rope at each corner of said net at one of saidstructural members from a point along said edge rope that is between andadjacent to a predetermined adjacent pair of said return bends at eachcorner of said net for movement of said edge rope longitudinally thereofrelative to the structural members of at least one pair respectively atdiagonally opposite corners of said area,

(c) drawing the edge rope taut along each edge of said net from a pointadjacent to one of the pair of structural members at one of the otherpair of diagonally opposite corners of said area, whereby the dimensionsof the net at right angle to each other parallel with its edges willsubstantially conform to one of a plurality of different rectangulardimensions of different areas across which the net is adapted to extend,

(d) securing said edge rope at at least one of the said pair ofstructural members at one of said other pair of diagonally oppositecorners of said area.

2. A safety device to be positioned generally horizontally across anopen, generally rectangular area having stationary structural membersadjacent the corners thereof comprising:

(a) a rectangular rope-net of diamond mesh construction providing twopairs of diagonally opposite corners and an outer row of mesh openingsalong each of its edges having return bends of the mesh rope of saidouter rows defining the outer edges of said net,

(b) net-suspending means for suspending said net generally horizontallyacross such area including an edge rope along said edges connected withsaid return bends for suspension of said net from such stationarymembers at the corners of said net,

(c) said edge rope being continuous at one pair of said diagonallyopposite corners, and each of said return vbends being connected withthe length of the edge rope adjacent thereto for movements of saidreturn bends relative to each other and to the edge rope longitudinallyof the latter.

3. In a safety device as defined in claim 2;

(d) said means for suspending said net including ropeengaging means ateach of the corners of said net for connecting said edge rope with saidstructural members, and the edge rope at said two diagonally oppositecorners of said net being slidable longitudinally thereof through tosaid rope-engaging means when the latter are connected to saidstructural members.

4. In a safety device as defined in claim 3;

(e) the return bends of an adjacent pair thereof being at opposite sidesof the rope-engaging means at each corner of said net for retaining saidrope-engaging means in a position between the return bends of saidadjacent pairs.

5. In a safety device as defined in claim 2;

(d) connecting means lixedly secured to each return bend having apassageway through which said edge rope is freely slidable for saidmovement of said return bends relative to each other and to said edgerope,

(e) the connecting means of an adjacent pair thereof being at oppositesides of the connecting means on the return bends at the corners of saidnet at said two diagonally opposite comers of said area.

`6. In a safety device as defined in claim 3;

(e) means rigidly fixed on the lengths of said edge rope extending toone of the other two diagonally opposite corners of said net forconnection with the rope-engaging means at said last-mentioned cornerfor holding said lengths of said edge rope against longitudinal movementof said edge rope relative to the structural member at saidlast-mentioned corner when said rope-engaging means is connected withsaid structural member.

7. In a safety device as defined in claim 2;

(d) said net-suspending means including rings secured to the returnbends along each edge of said net through which said edge rope slidablyextends for connecting said edge rope with said net and enabling saidmovements of said return bends relative to each other and to said edgerope.

8. In a safety device as defined in claim 7;

(e) a pair of said rings being adjacent to and at opposite sides of eachof the corners of said net,

(f) means connecting one of the pair of said rings at one of saiddiagonally opposite corners for engagement with a lifting lineindependently of said edge rope for lifting said net, when the latter issubstantially collapsed, at said one of said diagonally opposite cornersto a corner of the area across which said net is to extend to preventsaid rings at said one of said diagonally opposite corners from slidingdownwardly on said edge rope during said lifting of said net.

9. In a safety device as defined in claim 7;

(e) rings disposed in a row thereof spaced from and parallel with one ofthe edges of said net and secured to said net through which a length ofsaid edge rope may be extended for providing a net adapted to extendacross an open area of lesser size than when said length of said edgerope is extended through the rings along said one of the edges of saidnet.

10. In a safety device as defined in claim 9;

(f) a portion of said net including an adjacent pa1r of rectangularpanels each extending between two of the opposite edges ofsaid net andthe panels of said pair having adjacent edges defined by the returnbends of the rope defining the mesh openings of said panels along saidadjacent edges disposed in substantially meeting relation,

(g) a double thimble extending around and securing the return bends ofsaid panels together along said adjacent edges.

11. A safety device to be positioned generally horizontally across anopen, generally rectangular area having stationary structural membersadjacent the corners thereof, comprising;

(a) a rectangular rope-net of diamond mesh construction providing twopairs of diagonally opposite corners and an o'ter row of mesh openingsalong each of its edges having return bends of the mesh rope of saidouter rows defining the outer edges of said net,

(b) net-suspending means for suspending said net generally horizontallyacross such area including an edge rope along said edges and ringssecured to said return bends through which said edge rope slidablyextends,

(c) said edge rope being in two lengths respectively continuous at onepair of said diagonally opposite corners, and means at the other pair ofsaid diagonally opposite corners for securing said two lengths to suchstructural stationary members when said lengths Iare tensioned forsuspending said net across said area.

12. In a safety device as defined in claim 11;

(d) said net being in separately formed adjacent pairs of panelsextending across said net between two of its opposite edges,

(e) the panels of each adjacent pair having adjacent edges defined bythe return bends of the mesh rope defining the mesh openings along saidadjacent edges,

(f) a double thimble extending around the adjacent return bends of eachadjacent pair of panels securing said panels together againstseparation.

13. In a safety device as defined in claim 12;

(g) a plurality of rings in a row along at least one pair of adjacentedges of said panels, and

(h) the double thimbles connecting the return bends along saidlast-mentioned pair of adjacent edges with the rings of said row, toenable passage of said edge wire therethrough for suspending said net bysaid edge wire from corners at the ends of said row of rings.

14. In combination with stationary structural members defining thecorners of a rectangular horizontal open area;

(a) a rectangular rope-net of diamond mesh construction providing twopairs of diagonally, opposite corners and an outer row of mesh openingsalong each f its edges having return bends ofthe mesh rope of said outerrows defining the outer edges of said net,

(b) said net being generally horizontal and extending across said openarea with its corners being adjacent to said structural members,

(c) an edge rope extending along each edge of said net connected witheach of said return bends for supporting said net from said edge ropewhen the latter is connected with said stationary members at the cornersof said net,

(d) connecting means for so connecting the edge rope along each edge ofSaid net with each of said return bends for movement of said returnbends relative to each other and to the edge rope with which they areconnected,

(e) rope-engaging means for connecting the edge rope at each corner ofsaid net to said stationary srtuctural members,

(f) said rope-engaging means at two of said diagonally opposite cornersslidably supporting said edge rope for movement of said edge rope andsaid rope-engaging means relative to each other in a directionlongitudinally of said edge rope.

15. In the combination as defined in claim 14;

(g) said connecting means each being a double thimble, or shell of metalor the like adapted to be bent along one side to a position open at theopposite side for insertion of a return bend and one side of a generallyring-like member therein, said shell, when closed, providing a throughpassageway for said ring and return bend, and the inside walls of saidpassageway generally conforming to the linear and cross-sectionalcontours of the outer surfaces of said return bend and ring,

(h) a ring-like member and a return Ibend being in each double thimbleand said edge rope extending freely through each ring-like member,

(i) means for securing each double thimble to the ring-like member andreturn bend therein, and securing each double thimble closed.

16. In the combination as defined in claim 14;

(g) said rope-engaging means at one of the other two of said diagonallyopposite corners, securing said edge rope to the structural memberadjacent thereto and against movement of said edge rope relative to saidrope-engaging means, and

(h) said rope-engaging means at the second of said other diagonallyopposite corners including a comealong for releasably holding theportion of said edge rope between said last-mentioned corner and saidone of said diagonally opposite corners taut.

117. In the combination as defined in claim 14;

(g) said rope-engaging means including a clamp releasably secured to astructural member at each of the corners of said area.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 590,083 9/1897 Alling 182-1392,123,268 7/ 1938 Young 182--139 FOREIGN PATENTS 608,3 11 1/ 1935Germany.

REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner

